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ICELAND'S BEST GEOTHERMAL LAGOONS: WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU VISIT?

Explicación de los baños geotermales de Islandia

¿Cuál deberías elegir?

Consejos para su visita

Iceland is a land of fire and ice, where glaciers meet volcanoes, and geothermal energy bubbles just beneath the surface. Among its most irresistible attractions are its geothermal lagoons, natural (and sometimes luxurious) hot springs that offer the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and breathtaking scenery. From world-famous resorts to hidden gems tucked into the countryside, each lagoon has its own unique charm, making it tough to choose which one to visit. In this guide, we’ll compare five of Iceland’s top lagoons: Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, Hvammsvík, Laugarás Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon. We’ll help you decide which soak suits you best!

1. Laguna Azul: la experiencia de spa más icónica

If there’s one name everyone knows, it’s the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s most famous geothermal spa. Nestled in a lava field near Grindavík, this striking milky-blue pool is fed by geothermal water rich in silica, minerals, and algae that are legendary for your skin.

Por qué es genial

  • Laguna enorme y mundialmente famosa con aguas azules surrealistas.
  • Includes a silica mud mask with most tickets.
  • Restaurants, bars, and luxury spa add-ons make it more than just a soak.
  • Cerca del aeropuerto de Keflavík: ¡Ideal para una escala!

Ideal for: First-time visitors, spa lovers, and anyone looking for an iconic Iceland experience.

2. Sky Lagoon: Bienestar islandés moderno

Just out of Reykjavík, Sky Lagoon blends geothermal bathing with Icelandic tradition and stunning ocean views. It’s known for the 7-Step Ritual, a series of saunas, cold plunges, and steam experiences designed to elevate wellness.

Por qué es genial

  • Spectacular infinity-edge pool overlooking the sea.
  • The Ritual makes the experience feel more like a wellness journey than just a soak.
  • Tends to feel calmer and more adult-focused than Blue Lagoon.

Ideal for: Wellness-first visitors and those who want dramatic views straight into the ocean.

The infinity pool at Sky Lagoon at sunset seen from the cliff above. Reykjavík can be seen in the distance.

The infinity pool at Sky Lagoon

Hvammsvík hot pools and blue water seen from above

Hvammsvík hot pools seen from above

3. Aguas termales de Hvammsvík: jacuzzis de la naturaleza

Want raw nature and relaxation? Hvammsvík Hot Springs sits on the edge of Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord), with multiple natural pools, steam baths, and even access to ocean swims. It’s less polished than the big spa resorts, but that’s part of its charm.

Por qué es genial

  • Multiple pools at various temperatures, some heated, some ocean-cooled.
  • Stunning fjord scenery and often very peaceful.
  • Nearby hiking and outdoor options make it a full-day adventure.

Ideal for: Nature lovers and travelers who want Icelandic scenery with their soak.

laguna de Laugarás

laguna de Laugarás

4. Laugarás Lagoon: The New Gem in the Golden Circle Experience

One of the newest geothermal lagoons in Iceland, Laugarás Lagoon offers a two-level lagoon, waterfall feature, forest pool, saunas, and swim-up bars, quickly becoming a must-visit stop on the Golden Circle route.

Por qué es genial

  • Enjoy it in combination with the Golden Circle + Laugarás Lagoon Combo Deal
  • Unique waterfall feature.
  • Multiple bathing experiences in one place (sauna, cold plunge, forest pool).
  • On-site dining elevates the experience.

Ideal for: Golden Circle travelers and those who want a fresh, varied experience.

5. Secret Lagoon: Classic & Budget-Friendly

If authenticity is your vibe, Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) in Flúðir is Iceland’s oldest geothermal bathing spot, dating back to 1891. It’s simple, rustic, and tucked into nature with hot springs constantly bubbling and even a mini geyser nearby. Very easy to enjoy as a relaxing stop on the Golden Circle route!

Por qué es genial

  • A relaxing add-on in your Golden Circle + Secret Lagoon Combo Deal
  • More affordable than the mega resorts.
  • Classic Icelandic feel: natural steam, simpler facilities, countryside charm.
  • Easy to combine with Golden Circle sightseeing.

Ideal for: Budget travelers and lovers of authentic hot spring culture.

Visitante disfrutando de una bebida en Secret Lagoon

Visitante disfrutando de una bebida en Secret Lagoon

Familia relajándose en la Laguna Azul

Familia relajándose en la Laguna Azul

Entonces… ¿Cuál es la mejor laguna?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, it depends on your priorities:

Tips for Your Visit

  • Book ahead: the lagoons reach their maximum capacity quickly, so it is always best to secure your time slot
  • Combine with sightseeing: Some lagoons just work great with Golden Circle combo deals.
  • Go at sunset for unforgettable views, especially at Sky Lagoon or Hvammsvík.

If you’re short on time, do Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon. If you have a bit more adventure in your plans, Hvammsvík, Golden Circle with Secret Lagoon or Golden Circle with Laugarás Lagoon might just steal your heart. 

Visistantes relajándose en Sky Lagoon

Relaxing sunset at Sky Lagoon

Únete a un tour guiado para ver Auroras Boreales

Skip the stress of winter driving in the dark and join a group of like-minded adventurers on a guided Northern Lights hunt.

Preguntas frecuentes sobre la Aurora Boreal

¿Cuándo puedo ver las Auroras Boreales en Islandia?
The northern lights season in Iceland begins in late August and continues through mid/late April.
During this long period, Iceland experiences sufficient darkness for the Aurora to be visible at night.
However, chances of experiencing the northern lights vary depending on the time of year. Find out which months are the best for seeing the Aurora here.
¿Por qué no puedo ver la aurora boreal en verano?
To be able to see the northern lights you need sufficient darkness. During summer we have what we call the “midnight sun”, meaning that there are no hours of actual nighttime darkness. These conditions are perfect for late night hiking and exploring, but make it impossible for us to observe the Aurora in Iceland between May and early August.
Want to know more about light conditions in Iceland? Check the sun graph and learn about twilight and dusk in Iceland.
¿A qué hora aparecen las auroras boreales?
Northern lights are statistically often seen between 9:00pm and 1:00am, but they may appear at any time as long as it is dark (and the sky clear). During the winter months, when the hours of light are limited, the northern lights can often appear as early at 7:00pm. As the exact time of an Aurora display cannot be predicted, keep your eyes at the sky. And remember, patience is key!
¿Cuánto duran las auroras boreales?
Auroras can last any time between few minutes and hours. Each northern lights display is different, and varies in duration. Furthermore, the northern lights are not always visible for the entire duration of a single Auroral episode: they often change in intensity throughout a single display, and can go from very bright to incredibly faint, to the point they are hardly visible at all any more. Learn more about how the northern lights behave duration-wise here.
¿Puedo ver la aurora boreal cuando está nublado?
Well, that depends. First of all, Iceland is well-known for its unpredictable weather: the fact that it is cloudy now does not mean that the sky will still be cloudy 5 minutes from now. As long as we can find some gaps in the cloud cover, some windows of clear sky – there’s hope. And, even when it’s cloudy, keep in mind that not all clouds are the same. For example, high clouds are often see-through and do not necessarily disrupt our view. Rule of thumb: if you can see the stars, you can potentially see the northern lights too. Once again, keep your eyes at the sky and check the forecast regularly for the most reliable prediction.
¿Las auroras boreales sólo aparecen cuando hace frío?
The northern lights season in Iceland starts in late summer. As you can imagine, this means that you don’t need cold temperatures to see an Aurora (although you should not expect t-shirt weather at night in Iceland, not even in August). The northern lights happen way above the weather systems, and are not influenced by weather systems and temperature fluctuations in the lower atmosphere. Find out more here.
¿Se ven las auroras boreales en toda Islandia?
Iceland is located within the so called “aurora belt“, the area where the northern lights are typically seen. In the Arctic region, the belt extends between 60°N and 70°N latitude. As Iceland in its entirety is included between 63°N and 67°N, and therefore well within the aurora belt, chances of seeing the northern lights are virtually the same everywhere around the island – if weather allows. That said, the likelihood of witnessing the northern lights is higher away from the city lights, and some areas around the country are especially scenic. Here are our favourite locations for northern lights spotting in Iceland.
¿Son realmente coloridas las auroras boreales?
Las auroras boreales se presentan en una variedad de coloresEl verde es, con mucho , el más común, pero también pueden aparecer en vibrantes tonos de rosa, morado, rojo, violeta y azul.
Sin embargo, a simple vista , las auroras boreales pueden verse bastante tenuesy, en ocasiones, percibirse como blancas o grisáceas. Esto se debe a las limitaciones de nuestra visión nocturna..
Las cámaras , en cambio, pueden capturar una versión más fiel de los colores, ya que, en la mayoría de los casos, es posible ajustar la configuración del dispositivo para adaptarse mejor a las condiciones nocturnas.
Descubre más sobre cómo mejorar tu visión nocturna y aprender a tomar excelentes fotografías de auroras aquí.
¿Desaparecerán las auroras boreales en el futuro?
No, las auroras boreales no van a desaparecer!
La aurora boreal ha sido visible en el Ártico durante siglos, y eso no va a cambiar pronto.
Lo cierto es que la actividad solar, responsable de la aparición de las auroras boreales en nuestro planeta , cambia con el tiempo, siguiendo un ciclo de once años.
Durante cada ciclo solar, el Sol pasa de un pico a un mínimo de actividad. Durante el pico, el llamado"máximo solar", podemos esperar una mayor actividad y, potencialmente, auroras boreales más intensas visibles desde latitudes inusuales (en el hemisferio norte, esto significa que las auroras se avistan más al sur de lo habitual). Mientras que, durante el mínimo solar, estos fenómenos inusualmente intensos se vuelven más raros.
Aun así, en latitudes árticas , las auroras boreales se pueden ver con claridad durante todo el ciclo. E Islandia, al estar dentro del "cinturón de auroras", es y seguirá siendo el destino perfecto para la búsqueda de auroras boreales.!
¿Qué es el valor BZ?
El Bz value is part of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF), which is the magnetic field carried by the solar wind coming from the Sun.
Why does it matter for the Northern Lights? Earth’s magnetic field points north. If the solar wind’s magnetic field (Bz) points south (a negative Bz), it connects with Earth’s field and lets charged solar particles into the atmosphere. This interaction helps create the northern lights. If instead, Bz is positive (northward), the fields don’t connect well, and fewer particles get in — meaning weaker or no aurora.
Think of Bz like an ON/OFF switch: negative Bz (south) = ON, good chance of Aurora soon. Positive Bz (north) = OFF, Aurora less likely.
Learn more about Bz and how the forecast works aquí.
Which are the best forecast apps and websites for Northern Lights hunting?

Chasing the Northern Lights is all about timing, clear skies, and up-to-date aurora forecasts. These tools help you know when and where there’s a good chance of seeing the aurora — so you can plan your night the smart way. For the best results, we recommend using more than one source, as different forecasts interpret data differently.

WEB FORECASTS

TOP MOBILE APPS

  • My Aurora Forecast – Offers real-time KP index, global aurora maps, push alerts and multi-day forecasts — great for travelers and serious aurora watchers alike.
    And don’t forget to unable notifications, so you’ll get alerts when aurora activity spikes.
    📍App Store
    📍 Google Play

By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to experience one of nature’s most magical displays. Whether you’re planning your trip or already in Iceland, the Aurora awaits!